Books by and for independent women

Battle of the Bookshops: Book People in Austin, Texas

The first time I walked into BookPeople it was to get out of the oppressive heat. I imagine it was one of those 100 degree plus summer days that Austin Texas sees so frequently, and I was minutes away from heat stroke.

Up until that point I had avoided the local bookstore- in my mind it was huge, intimidating, and probably a lot like the Barnes & Noble close to my house. I was young and naïve.

After popping in to cool down and grab a glass of water, I realised how wrong I’d been. Yes, it’s massive (there are two quite large floors of books), but it’s hardly scary. Somehow it manages to maintain the feeling of a small local bookshop, while simultaneously offering more books than you could possibly read in a lifetime. The selection!

I’ve managed to browse for hours and leave with a graphic novel, a book about local Austin history, and a study on gender politics. And let’s not even discuss the embarrassing book about sparkly vampires.

It really is a place where you’re practically guaranteed to find something to tuck into. And probably a lot of things that you have every intention of tucking into, but never really get around to doing so. The number of impulse buys I have indulged at BookPeople is shocking.

But more than a place to find an impressive variety of books, BookPeople has very successfully cultivated a community. Claiming to be a “community bound by books,” there truly is a sense that the people who shop and work there are in on a secret: that books are really awesome.

There are book clubs, storytimes, readings, and even children’s yoga classes. While some book stores fall into the trap of only offering events for children, BookPeople steers clear by holding ukulele sing-alongs, wine tastings, beer tours, as well as a variety of very grown-up readings and speakers.

My favourite experience at BookPeople has to be when I saw one of my favourite women of all time speak. I was lucky enough to hear Amy Sedaris read from her book, as well as meet her after the reading. It was phenomenal.

BookPeople hosts these kinds of read and greet events frequently (just in the last few months they have had Simon Pegg, Jodi Picoult, and this year’s Orange Prize for Fiction winner Téa Obreht).

A lot of people in Austin can say that they saw one of their favourite people speak at BookPeople. It’s this involvement in the community, as well as the greater literary world, that makes BookPeople so great.

But what makes me love BookPeople so much- what makes me sing its praises from the rafters- is how much it feels like Austin when you’re there. Deep in the heart of Texas, Austin shines as a liberal beacon- a place with amazing music, the best food you’ve ever eaten, and a creative force found in few other places.

And BookPeople captures all this perfectly within its walls. So next time you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Austin, do yourself a favour and go to BookPeople. It’s not scary, and you can hopefully catch a showing of the What Awfully Big Teeth You Have Grandma (Jk, Jk – but seriously Grandma….PUPPET SHOW).

Gemma Waterston